Dafabet Welsh Premier

Haverfordwest County 0

Aberystyth Town 1

THE Bluebirds seem to be doomed for the moment to a miserable run, not only without wins or goals but without any luck at all. They matched Aber all the way before being undone by a rather fortuitous late goal.

The conditions were really poor, and the amber-clad Seasiders, having won the toss, opted to play with the really stiff wind behind them in the first half. For five to ten minutes they were right on top but the resilient Bluebirds’ side, who have weathered many such opening bursts this season, settled to play some composed attractive and indeed dangerous passing football, having slightly the better of the first half. Luke Borrelli was particularly sharp up front, and was well supported by the returning Steffan Williams.

The whole defence was solid and, although one shot by Geoff Kellaway whistled across the face of the goal and a free kick from Luke Sherbon thumped against a post, Aber had relatively few shots on goal as the Blues’ defence stood solid. The midfield was an energetic and fluent as ever, and there were particularly good performances from full backs Ricky Watts and Spencer Williams. The first half ended goalless.

Once the Bluebirds had adjusted their game to having the wind behind them, the second half offered a similar pattern. The interesting match statistics show that they had 15 shots on goal to Aber’s 9, and 7 corners to the Seasiders’ 4, but they couldn’t quite convert. Obviously we must reflect on what a really sharp finisher might add to the present side, but we might well credit a fine display by Aber keeper Mike Lewis, and the kind of luck which saw a penalty appeal turned down and a crashing oblique shot from Declan Carroll thundering into the keeper.

But conditions were such that it was always likely that one slightly fluky goal would settle matters and so it proved. In the 75th minute sub Jack Rimmer, who later admitted the goal was fortuitous, launched a huge cross from the touchline. It may indeed have gone out before being blown back in, but it proved a horror ball to defend and swung in by the far post.

The Ball Sponsor was the Victoria Bookshop and the Programme Sponsor was Conygar. The hospitality suite was occupied by Mr and Mrs D. Lewis and friends of Clarbeston Road FC.

Weather permitting, the two sides will meet again in Aberystwyth on New Year’s Day, kick-off 2.30.

Haverfordwest County: 13. Craig Morris, 2. Ricky Watts, 20. Spencer Williams, 6. Sam Rodon, 5. Dale Griffiths, 4. Sean Pemberton, 8. Greg Walters, 14. Kieran Howard, 7. Luke Borrelli (9. Jordan Follows 69'), 10. Declan Carroll, 11. Steffan Williams (23. Alfie Stottor 85')

Sub not used: 3. Ryan Batley